Heat cramps: Difference between revisions

 
(13 intermediate revisions by 6 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
==Background==
==Background==
#Painful, involuntary, spasmodic contractions of skeletal muscles
*Occurs to those who sweat profusely and replace fluid losses with water
##Usually affects calves, thighs and shoulders
**May occur during exercise, but more common during rest several hours later
#Occurs to pts who are sweating profusely and replace fluid losses with water
*Typically does not involve enough muscle mass to cause rhabdomyolysis<ref>Waters T. Heat Emergencies In: Tintinalli's Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide. 7th ed. McGraw Hill Medical. 2011: 1339-1344</ref>
##May occur during exercise or during a rest period several hrs later
##Relative hyponatremia


==Treatment==
==Clinical Features==
#Self-limited
*Painful, involuntary, spasmodic contractions of skeletal muscles<ref>Waters T. Heat Emergencies In: Tintinalli's Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide. 7th ed. McGraw Hill Medical. 2011: 1339-1344</ref>
#Pain is difficult to tx; often does not respond to opiates alone
**Usually affects calves, may involve thighs and shoulders
#Gatorade or NS IV
 
==Differential Diagnosis==
{{Template:Heat Emergencies}}
 
==Evaluation==
*Clinical diagnosis
 
==Management==
*Self-limited
*Provide muscle stretching and massage
*[[analgesia|Pain]] is difficult to treat
**Often does not respond to [[opioids]] alone
*Hydration
**Mild symptoms: sports drinks
**Severe symptoms: IV [[normal saline]]
 
==Disposition==
*Usually outpatient


==See Also==
==See Also==
*[[Heat Emergencies]]
*[[Heat Emergencies]]


==Source==
==References==
Tintinalli
<references/>


[[Category:Environ]]
[[Category:Environmental]]

Latest revision as of 16:47, 5 May 2022

Background

  • Occurs to those who sweat profusely and replace fluid losses with water
    • May occur during exercise, but more common during rest several hours later
  • Typically does not involve enough muscle mass to cause rhabdomyolysis[1]

Clinical Features

  • Painful, involuntary, spasmodic contractions of skeletal muscles[2]
    • Usually affects calves, may involve thighs and shoulders

Differential Diagnosis

Environmental heat diagnoses

Evaluation

  • Clinical diagnosis

Management

  • Self-limited
  • Provide muscle stretching and massage
  • Pain is difficult to treat
    • Often does not respond to opioids alone
  • Hydration

Disposition

  • Usually outpatient

See Also

References

  1. Waters T. Heat Emergencies In: Tintinalli's Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide. 7th ed. McGraw Hill Medical. 2011: 1339-1344
  2. Waters T. Heat Emergencies In: Tintinalli's Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide. 7th ed. McGraw Hill Medical. 2011: 1339-1344